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Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

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151–160 of 221 posts

Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#151
post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All the way up to Lake Kivu! As safe as Rwanda is, you need to be wary of the neighboring countries: DRC and Burundi.

Yeah, I'm wary of DRC, but I have to cross it on my way South on the West coast. I'll go fast. My research says Burundi is pretty stable.. I was planning to go there. Do you recommend otherwise?

You're planning to cross the DRC, and you're going to do it "fast"? Please tell me that was a joke, because this is what awaits you:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/ride-tales/democratic-...

Update: Ah, I take you're going to cross north to south, meaning you only have a (comparatively) tiny slice to go through. Then you'll likely survive, good luck getting the Angolan visa though...

Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#152
post #34

After about 20 years of computer stuff, I've found a new interest - sailing. I spent most of the money gained from computer stuff on a boat, learnt how to repair it and sail it (repairing being the far more extensive subject), and am about to set off for a long trip. While doing this I've been using my newly gained skills and combined with my existing skills (computers, networks, electronics) did some work in the mar…

Check out Hold Fast by Moxie Marlinspike, "…a video zine three friends and I made about finding a derelict sailboat, fixing it up, and sailing from Florida to Haiti." https://vimeo.com/15351476

Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#154

Earlier quoted context omitted.

have you ever tried technology sales? i can turn on the social charm like a light switch but it requires significant effort so i wasn't able to do it long term but it might be a good transition for you.

I was considering that. I don't have any sales background, but I can communicate what's good and bad about software/systems fairly easily. In my career I've also had to "sell" complex ideas to management, and I've had pretty good success in getting permission to execute those ideas. Interacting with people can tire me out though. Nevertheless, I can power through anything with the proper motivation. I'm currently try…

> They just kind of kick cans down the road for a few years hoping to fail upward

Never heard this one before. Really made me laugh. Thank you

Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#155

It's an idea I have entertained, maybe some day will pursue. Those I know who have bailed out tended to go in three directions: - Teaching public school - Diving instructors - Owning a bar/restaurant in some touristy location From observation, the teachers seem most fulfilled, and the divers seem to have the most fun.

We need some meta analysis done on these threads for sure )

Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#156

I started writing some apps and then quit my tech job to do them full time. I took a big risk in quitting my job, I was making $3 a day at that point. I was EXTREMELY burned out with the work though (Java/Oracle dev) so was for my mental sanity. I learned how to make money quickly from the apps, I make 3 sometimes 4 figures a day so support myself. I chose evergreen apps, they are always popular. I delivered my first…

Congrats on your successful transition.

May I ask what do you mean by evergreen apps? How did you pick what to work on? I'd love to read more on this subject.

Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#157
post #91
post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been developing in C, in the finance industry as a high frequency trader as well as being a father. My son is home schooled and is typing elementary level sentences at 3 years old, he can also strum the guitar playing notes C D E F G A B on request. The down side is I work 10-12 hour days, but I get a performance bonus between 400k and 800k every year. I'm hoping I can retire in my late 30's, but I do miss out o…

Do you mind if I contact you offline so I can pick your brain about HFT and how you got into that? hn@lj3.me

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#158
post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the English channel, off the coast of Sussex. I learnt programming by doing it and then reading about it. I learnt sailing by reading about it and then doing it. This is because when programming it hurts less when you screw up, when sailing it's best to have a basic understanding of things before you set out so you're not a risk to yourself and others :) The actual sailing bit isn't really very difficult. If you h…

I've always wanted to sail, but everyone I know who's actually done it said "you think it's going to cost X, but once you've spent X you keep spending and spending."

That is certainly true for boat ownership (although you can save and learn a lot by doing everything yourself). But you don't have to buy a boat just to sail. Plenty around already!

Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#159
post #120
post #14

Went to medical school. It's about as much fun as going to medical school can be, but I'm much happier than I was in software (I think?).

How would you compare the two fields? What do you look forward to in medicine?

You know, this is a question I frequently ponder. I don't know if I have a good answer.

Interestingly, I think coming from a software background, where things are (generally) predictable and orderly, can help establish some of the most important foundations of practicing medicine. In writing software, we generally have a good idea about what's going to happen when we run our code. In medicine, we follow the same blueprint when approaching every patient. This ensures that we're both better able to recognize patterns when they are present, as well as making sure we are consistently thorough in collecting all the information necessary for a diagnosis.

There are also tremendous differences - probably the biggest is what could generally be called variability. In software, we generally want the product to run identically for every user - it is quite frustrating when it works differently on every computer. In medicine, we don't end up with much choice on the matter - everyone is different. And so we need to take those differences into account when we are formulating our diagnoses and are when we decide to prescribe (or not prescribe) a medication for a patient. I enjoy the challenge that this variability brings to the practice of medicine.

As a paramedic for many years now, I've had the pleasure of practicing (albeit in a very limited manner) medicine. I think what I most look forward to in becoming a physician is being at the top, directing patient care on a larger level. I also look forward to seeing more of a patient, rather than just the hour or so that it takes me to treat them and transport them to the hospital (unfortunately, paramedics in the USA are not yet look upon as definitive care). I hope to stay involved in prehospital medicine as a physician and help it grow to be considered a true career and as a source of definitive medicine.

Re: Ask HN: What did you do after quitting the IT industry and how have things been?

#160

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> How long have you been sailing? Where did you learn how to sail? I took classes at a yacht club in March/April, so a little under a year. > Is that what you plan on doing forever or is this a temporary excursion? Who knows. Maybe forever? Maybe only for a few years? If you want to hear the gods laugh, tell them your plans.

You feel confident sailing the world after sailing for under a year? That's fantastic, I figured it required a lot more experience.

I met two different couples who literally sold everything, drove to Florida, bought a boat, had an instructor on board for a week, and sailed away with no previous experience. Neither has gone past the Caribbean but they both did fine. One of them now runs a day charter on a catamaran.

I spent several years learning and improving sailing skills before heading off. 2-3 years of weekends and a few vacation weeks would probably do it if you started with that as your focus. It takes a lot of people that long to find a boat and get it set up the way you want anyway.

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